I would. Be sure to call a few of their references, though.

Sandy

I've hired 3 people to do work on my house through CL - a concrete driveway/walkway crew, bricklayer, & a plumber. I interviewed them on the phone, then in person, got refs on the concrete guy but not the others.

I admit that I go on intuition a lot in all of my dealings through life. It serves me well, most of the time. I would hire all 3 of those guys again - and plan to.

For an inside tile person, I would be much pickier about checking refs, & I would have my radar on full high mode for any question marks.

What about Angie's List? Is that active in your area?

I fully agree with the previous replies, I would certainly consider hiring someone from Craigslist but tile work is really an art form in many ways and I wouldnt hire ANYONE without seeing some of their work first.

I'd stay away from Craigs List. Most of the people I know listing ads there are doing so as a last resort, meaning they can't find work anywhere else. That should tell you something. Angies List, on the other hand, is a different story. Even there, there's risks, but atleast you're already starting out with recommendations. You all need to do yourself a favor. Don't be in a hurry, and this goes for ANY trade. If you find someone who has a reputation for doing great work, WAIT for them!! There are alot of tradesmen out of work right now...... for a reason!! The guys who know what they're doing are still busy! And that's for a reason, too!! Do you want to hire someone so as to stay on schedule, and hope things turn out okay, or hire the best you can find, and KNOW they'll do it right?

Bill's comments are right on, and I agree...

Yes, there are a lot of guys that are available right now
and many more than normal due to the crappy
economy - but Bill is right - if you WANT QUALITY - many times, you'll
have to get in line behind everyone else that wants it too!!!

Caligal - by your screen name - I am inferring that you are in Cali-fornia..
if that is correct, "Cali" has about as many Tile Setters as Carters has Pills!! And..........
that does not even take into consideration all of the Fire Fighetrs that do
tile on their days off!!! (one of my pet peves - but hey, everybody's got a
right to earn a buck)

If you want top notch work, in many cases, you'll have to wait for the best guys,
and also, in many of those same cases - you WON'T be getting the lowest
bidder either.

Try contacting some of the tile distributors in your area - I'm thinking folks
like Arizona Tile, DAL Tile, Walker & Zanger and others may have a listing of licensed,
bonded & insured guys that they can refer you to. Go over to "Tile Row"
in Anaheim - on State College Blvd - between Kattella & Ball Road... The Tile
and Stone Distributors there are like one after the next - it's mind boggelling!!

Do NOT EVER be afraid to ask for AND CHECK job references -

(Remember this - the folks that are the most unhappy, with the finished
work they got - are the same ones that either did not ASK for any,
or did NOT take the time to actually go and CHECK the references that the Contractor gave them....)

SO - go and LOOK at their work and talk with their
past clients. I thank God for my past clients - they are my biggest source
for repeat and new business - they are happy with my work and services,
and will tell my new prospective clients the truth - so I can't say enough good
things about having customers that like - no - LOVE the work that your did for them!!!

Hope that helps

kevin

I hired a math tutor off craigslist and she was fabulous. I would want to see samples of his work, though.

I hired my vintage gas stove guy from CL, but I was the one who put out an ad with specifics of the job and let them apply to me. I was able to do a little 'presorting' that way based on their initial professional presentation, via email then phone.

Thanks all, I found someone and am checking his references. He is pretty booked, but will squeeze me in before Christmas. You are right kevin i am in so cal. In fact, there is an Arizona Tile down the street. I will call them as well.

I have 20 sq ft of tile (on sheets), so it shouldn't take longer than 2 days.

Is $250 for materials(excl. tile) and labor a good quote?

Would you hire someone from Craigslist to do tile?

nope.

i do use angieslist, though, and have had great success finding contractors on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: angieslist

Is $250 for materials(excl. tile) and labor a good quote?

It's a VERY good quote. Normally, installers will charge what's called a "daily minimum" for a job like that, which is usually somewhere between 4-500.00. I'd imagine he's giving you a half day price.

"Is $250 for materials(excl. tile) and labor a good quote?"

Seems really low to me.

Seems almost too low, huh?

Can tile be done early in the day and then quick dried and grouted later.

Remember I only have 20 sq ft to tile.

ARE YOU KIDDING???

Do you mean "Crimeslist"!!! Only half way kidding. I have done a lot of shopping on Crimeslist and I perused tile services but you need to be very careful letting someone into your home. Given my cynical law enforcement background it is better to be safe than sorry.

Some of the worst jackpots are courtesy of "friends of friends", out of date recommendations, and availability of very personable people "who can start right away".

People can change for all kinds of reasons over a relatively short time and not usually for the better. Verify if recent customers are really satisfied with the work done and if it was completed efficiently to a high standard using quality materials.

It is useful to be present for all work to make sure you get what you ordered and are paying for, especially on a quick one day sort of job.

Can tile be done early in the day and then quick dried and grouted later.

Yes, it can. There are thinsets that dry in about 2 hours that can be grouted after that time, wait another 2-3 hours, and then open to foot traffic.

Thanks again Bill!